Find a Major: Program details

Communications Major

At the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication the goal is to produce
graduates who: are well-educated in communication, the liberal arts and
humanities, and in the social, natural, and physical sciences; are ethical,
technologically proficient, analytical, and critical; have the cognitive,
research, and professional skills required to succeed in their first jobs
and to mature as leaders in a constantly changing, challenging, and exciting
new information era; and are able to contribute as citizens to a changing
and increasingly complex society. Students may choose from a wide variety of
concentrations including Advertising, Corporate Communications, Health
Communications, Interpersonal Communications, Journalism, Media Production,
Media Studies, and Public Relations.

Media Studies

Students who choose the Media Studies track will deal critically with media issues that create and affect
public policy. Course materials cover media management, media technology,
training, programming, content, marketing and audiences in national and
international contexts.

Media Production

Student who choose the Media Production track will acquire the ability to create communications using audio, video,
motion picture, photography and computer graphics techniques. An appreciation
and ethical concern for the professional values and effects on an audience of
utilizing such techniques will accompany both practical and theoretical
instruction. Skills needed to perform the research and writing functions that
precede actual production of media programs as well as performance studies are
included. This concentration provides the preparation for internships and
entry-level positions available in a wide variety of careers that require media
production knowledge and skills, and the foundation for advancement in those
fields.

Journalism

Students who choose the Journalism track will
develop an understanding of the political, economic, social and cultural
contexts in which news is disseminated. They will acquire the skills needed
to investigate effectively the world of news and to report their findings
accurately, clearly, completely and in the public interest. They will
graduate with the knowledge of critical, analytical, technological and
ethical perspectives necessary to succeed in entry-level jobs and in
life-long careers. The track offers electives that specialize in Print Media
& Broadcasting. The degree plan offers a list of electives and students may choose all
of one type of specialization or may choose to combine the two
specialization electives.

The Broadcasting specialization
prepares students for careers in such performance based fields as broadcast
news and sports reporting and anchoring. Some of the skills students may
develop throughout their coursework include writing, editing, relevant
technical/equipment skills, problem solving, social skills such as teamwork,
leadership, and time management/project management.

Students who
specilize in Print Media find that their study has prepared them to
compete successfully for entry level positions or higher in fields where
good writing, reporting, criticism, strategic thinking, and organizational
skills are prized. The Print Media course of study includes in-depth
practice in writing and rhetorical processes, experiential learning,
analytical and critical thinking, and coursework enriched with the offerings
of other departments. A significant part of the Print Journalism
concentration is involvement in publications in which students research and
write articles on news, cultural events, entertainment, opinions, lifestyle,
technology, and feature stories in single articles or series.

Advertising

The Advertising track provides basic knowledge, skills and ethical considerations to
prepare students for entry into public relations and advertising careers.
Students will learn the communication requirements to represent
organizations, products, services, operations and policies effectively.
Special attention is given to communication in an urban setting. Specific
areas of study include theory, principles, analytical and critical skills,
ethical requirements, public policy development, campaign design and
execution requirements, research methodologies, data analysis techniques and
communication skills especially appropriate for an urban setting.

Media Production provides
students with the knowledge and experience to prepare them to enter careers in
media and entertainment as Screenwriters, Directors, Cinematographers, Editors,
Producers, etc.

Media Studies provides
undergraduates with skills that can be applied in a number of professional
fields, preparing students for a variety of career opportunities as leaders
within media entertainment industries, including Creative Managers, Critics,
Developers, Marketing and Regulation Supervisors, Teachers, etc.

More information regarding job titles, salary information of Cougar Alumni as
well as national salary information can be found at Cougar Careers. For
assistance in career planning and development, please visit University Career Services.